Simon Says ...

The BBC has refused permission for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), a group of leading relief agencies, to run their appeal for aid to Gaza. The reasons they give are pretty spurious. Mark Thompson, the Director-General of the BBC, explains all here . First the BBC are worried that they cannot be sure that the aid will get through. Well one would expect the DEC to have considered that pretty thoroughly, and the BBC are hardly experts in aid delivery and not really able to assess this. By the time of writing they've pretty much with drawn this. The second reason is more serious - that it would be "compromising to public confidence in its impartiality" . No mention of the compromise in public confidence shown by not showing the film. Indeed, the number of people voicing suspicion that the BBC is acting this way because it fears pressure from Israel surely raises worries about its impartiality. Basically, if they can show appeals for aid after conflict in the ...

Earlier this week I was in Windsor for a consultation on the Ministry of Cathedrals and Greater Churches. It's the first time I've ever had to get past armed guards to get into a church event! As well as the surroundings, which were fantastic (thanks to Graham for taking the photo), and the train journey, an opportunity to read and think, it was a worthwhile trip. We spent most of the time in groups reflecting on our own experiences and learning from one another. I think the idea that stood out for me was that Cathedrals and churches are custodians of tradition, but that they only fulfil this vocation by experimenting and taking risks. This can be seen in art, music, liturgy, prayer, debate and other ways in which these places can contribute to the wider church and to the wider world. As someone said (I think it was GK Chesterton), 'the only untraditional thing is never to change at all'!

I'm in Windsor this evening (more of that in a later post), and skived evensong to watch the inaugural address of President Obama. What a preacher! It was a moving moment and a crucial moment for our world. It was good to hear climate change mentioned. It was good to hear the affirmation that values and security should not be but in conflict. It was, frankly, too much to live up to. But the vision needs to be set out, and it should be ambitious and lofty. It needs to be there in order to inform the compromises and the failures that will challenge it. President Obama needs all the prayers he can get.

The Organ is on telly ! Andrew, our Director of Music, tells it as it is, and some fool wanders around in the church looking up at where an organ may once have been!

Today saw the first pieces of the organ start to be removed. It's quite a piece of work! It's also aroused quite a bit of local interest with the radio, television and newspaper all wanting a piece about it. There are about 4500 pipes in our organ. Each has to be removed, restored and replaced. It should take about 18 months, and costs a small fortune .

For a short time we have two organs in church (our pipe organ is being removed on Monday so it can be restored). So this evening an assembled choir sang Widor 's Mass for choir and two organs as part of a eucharist. What particularly struck me was the role of the great organ. The little organ accompanied the choir and the great organ played parts that threatened to drown out the human voice. It was a reminder to me of the majesty of God, who is beyond all human conception and containment. It was beautiful, and a real privilege to be involved.

Well, new phone as well so change was enforced. My phone now has the dulcet tones of Lennon and McCartney's 'Here comes the sun' - call it a new year's resolution or just optimism in the cold of winter. And someone may yet be assigned the Imperial March from Star Wars as their own personal tone!

So welcome to 2009 (only 10 days late!). Some pictures taken today (playing with a new toy): Bristol harbour is frozen: and Christmas trees are piling up! and I'm back to work tomorrow (no image supplied).